AngularJS Vs. ReactJS - A Critical Analysis

Every entrepreneur wants their business website to flourish and to achieve that, the selection of the JavaScript framework becomes quite crucial. It plays a key role not only in the steadiness of the project, but also helps to maintain code and deadlines etc. However, choosing an appropriate framework to suit your requirements isn’t a cake walk.

With the passage of time the JavaScript tools have gradually increased and this has posed a challenge for the business websites. So, if you are one of those people who is in a sort of dilemma regarding the choice of the framework, then reading the article further will help your cause in developing optimal native mobile applications.

Today, I will focus our discussion on the two toughest competitors out there in the market. It's a tug of war like situation where on one hand we have AngularJS and on the other side of the rope we have ReactJS. It is going to be an interesting tussle and let us conclude who comes out victorious in the end.

An Introduction to AngularJS

Let’s start this discussion by briefly introducing AngularJS. The framework was initiated in 2009 and since then it is being developed by Google. It is an open-source framework which helps to develop websites including the HTML page and CSS in JavaScript. It also amplifies the browser apps on MVC base and thus the development as well as testing becomes easier. The loading time also gets reduced. Another significant feature about AngularJS is that it was previously used as MVC (Model View Controller) but nowadays, it is using the MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel) for architectural pattern.

AngularJS – The Wow Factors

Now that you have some idea about AngularJS framework, it is important to note down its vital advantages.

1. Enjoys Support from Global Community

One of the aspects which has established AngularJS as a well renowned JavaScript Framework is that it receives global support from various designers and developers who keep on contributing to make the framework better; therefore, it has become more reliable over the years.

2. The Two-Way Data Binding

AngularJS JavaScript Framework usually offers three kinds of binding to eliminate any problem during the functioning. These include two-way bind, one-way bind from data source to target and one-way to view target to data source. Hence the connection between data view and model is established. What benefit does two-way bind provide? It disseminates the impact even if there is a small change in the data and helps in data synchronization in view and model.

3. A Full Complete Framework

AngularJS is a distinctive and complete framework which can operate on any web browser or platform without any difficulty. The likeable features such as reliability, good documentation and customized tools, besides strong ng components give it an edge over its competitors.

4. Free Environment for Developing AngularJS

Another benefit of selecting the AngularJS is that you get to choose your favorite and free environment for developing the framework. This means you can use any of these including JavaScript, TypeScript, CoffeeScript or Dart. It’s completely up to you what you want to choose. If you are designing templates then the options involve pure HTML or preprocessors like Jade.

5. Structure of the Component

AngularJS allows its users to use it with different frameworks. In fact, it has transformed into a platform from framework where you can implement functionality like the other components and as directives that increase functionality.

6. Easily Write Test for Applications

Amongst the various objectives, Google has developed AngularJS as a JavaScript framework which simplify the writing for testing applications. You have to make use of modules as given in the documentation.

The Ouch Factors - AngularJS

As every coin has two sides, likewise the AngularJS too has some drawbacks. We can list here a few important ones:

1. Steep Learning Curve and Complexity

The steep learning curve and complexity are said to be one of the major drawbacks for the AngularJS JavaScript framework although it has a broad and clear manual.

2. Debugging Difficulties in Framework

It has also encountered some debugging difficulties in framework for which one needs to have profound background knowledge to effectively utilize it in the projects.

3. Extra Focus on the Security

If you are a programmer, you have to give additional emphasis on the security for safeguarding the development of apps while using this JavaScript Framework. This can be more time consuming. However, you can solve this problem with the help of Angular Universal.

4. Issues related to Binding

You may have to face some issues related to two-way data binding checks if there is an alteration in the data model. It can deteriorate the performance of the framework and the battery can also exhaust very quickly.

An Introduction to ReactJS

ReactJS was first introduced in May 2013 and has been developed by a Facebook engineer. Therefore, it is fully supported by Facebook as well as Instagram. It implements ideas from web components such as an expanded HTML document. You can download the data streaming where the minor component does not influence the major data. If you want to bring a change in the visual presentation, then it is advisable to essentially alter the state of the components.

ReactJS – Some Main Strength

In the previous paragraphs, we have analyzed the major advantages and disadvantages of AngularJS. Now, we are going to adopt the similar strategy here for ReactJS. So, let us start with the positives first:

1. Encourages Native Mobile App Development

You would be pleased to know that ReactJS is a good platform that offers favorable possibilities for developing native mobile apps. You can use ReactJS to create apps for both Android as well as iOS. Some most extensively social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, LinkedIn etc make use of ReactJS.

2. It’s an Open-Source Library

Since it is an open-source library, it welcomes all developers from global arena to share and contribute their valuable experiences and ideas on JavaScript framework and also they get acquainted with interesting facts about various products and innovations.

3. Advantage of Having JSX

The fact that it has JSX a JS syntax, which is used to render sub-components by allowing HTML quotes and HTML tag syntax. With its assistance, you can read the machine codes and the compound components can be compiled at a single palace in a time verified file.

4. Offers prompt rendering facilities

This is one area where ReactJS outshines its competitor AngularJS. In simplest of terms it can be explained as upgrading oneself with latest technology and mitigation. It includes Document Object Model (DOM), virtual DOM, acceleration which can prove to be handy when you have to handle huge database.

5. Benefits of Being JS Centric

One of the other factors where again ReactJS is able to surpass AngularJS is by gaining the benefit of being JS-centric. AngularJS is HTML centric. And talking about JavaScript, it is much stronger than HTML and that is why it is more consistent and simple.

6. Some other pros

You can easily master it

Can maintain isolated components

It has more convenient architecture compared to MVC

Unlike Angular, it has one-way data flow

The light weight framework is more popular and used extensively

ReactJS – The Weaknesses

1. Not a Fully Scalable framework

One of its key disadvantages is that ReactJS does not have a fully scalable framework. Now because of this you need to have a deep insight of programming for you want to integrate the User Interface into common MVC frameworks.

2. It’s Still New Compared to its Competitor

Well, it is still new in comparison to its competitor. So, you won’t find much tutorial support and videos related to its programming as it was launched just four years ago.

3. Flux

Now flux can be defined as an essential aspect which is used both in structure and architecture for react apps. But due to the inexperience of the programmer, the problem arrives as complete documentation cannot be done.

4. Frequent Re-rendering

Apart from that, if there is continuous re-rendering, then the work application will slow down making it difficult to handle huge sets of data.

Conclusion

Except for a very few similarities, both AngularJS and ReactJS have a diverse approach for web application development. From the above discussion, it is quite clear that both have their pluses and minuses. So, the decision to choose the particular JavaScript Framework should be left at the hands of business. You can opt for any of the two depending on your requirements after analyzing each of their pros and cons.